Bill Self and No. 5 ranked Kansas (16-2; 3-0) are on quite a roll. Since losing to DePaul (11-7; 2-2) back on December 2, the Jayhawks have won 10 straight games, including three straight to open up Big 12 play. Self's squad has all the pieces in place to make a run at the National Championship, but it's just a matter of putting everything together at the right time.

"We were not our best tonight, but that was in large part due to Missouri playing great," said Self after KU's three-point win over MU. "We told our guys, `They're 0-3, but they're better than that.' They're going to be focused, like we were last year after losing to Kansas State. We then went to Missouri and played well and controlled the game.

"I am proud of our guys," he added. "The last two games we've had guys step up and make plays in the biggest part of the game. And, of course, everyone knows who that was tonight."

The Hawks opened up Big 12 play with an impressive 30-points victory over a top 10 ranked Oklahoma State squad, but has struggled since that time. KU traveled to Ames, Iowa, on Saturday and narrowly escaped with a four-point victory in overtime.

Sasha Kaun, Brandon Rush, Julian Wright and Sherron Collins all scored in double-figures against the Cyclones, but it was still a struggle until the final buzzer sounded.